Most water skiers have no idea how deep the roots of Think Tank run—or how a legendary event that started with bar tabs and college chaos now celebrates 50 years of innovation and community. Cathy Luiting, a long time former Think Tank Chair, shares behind-the-scenes stories from the early days, revealing how beer tips and wild nights transformed into one of the sport’s most influential gatherings. This episode uncovers the surprising history that shaped an event that had 1500 attendees in it's hay day and helped propel show skiing into the spotlight.

You'll discover:

• How Think Tank evolved from a humble three-event gathering in Wisconsin Rapids to a national spectacle.
• The legendary indoor doubles competitions at Olympia that kept everyone talking.
• The wildest stories from the '90s—peeing on hotel doors, lunch tray sledding, and spontaneous chaos—that fueled the event's reputation.
• The strategic moves across Wisconsin sites and what makes Chula Vista the perfect home for this ongoing tradition.
• The behind-the-scenes insights into the award show’s fierce categories, close contests, and iconic winners, plus what it takes to host such a legendary celebration.

Join us as we honor five decades of Think Tank and five years of The Ski Show Awards—a testament to passion, perseverance, and perfect chaos. Hit play and get inspired by the stories behind the sport’s most legendary event.

Today's Sponsors are.....

FlymanSkis - flymanskis.com

The Board Shop - bswake.com

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• Email us at theskishowpodcast@gmail.com

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• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ski-show-the-ultimate-show-ski-podcast/id1510243170

It could be easy to overlook the game-changing secret behind women’s freestyle jump that’s reshaping the sport. Four trailblazing athletes - Sarah Fiedorowicz, Bailey Hyatt, Josie Smerchek, and Gabbie Taschwer - reveal how their relentless perseverance, teamwork, and fearless innovation are pushing boundaries—turning the impossible into the new norm. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to shatter records and redefine what women can do on the water, this episode is your exclusive front-row seat.

These women share their raw, inspiring journey from learning the foundational tricks as beginners to flipping the sport on its head with record-setting stunts like quad fronts and contemplating future milestones like back-halves and distance feats. We break down the key insights that are shaping the sport’s evolution: the importance of fundamentals, the role of mentorship from legends before them, and how the advent of team jumps is accelerating growth—bringing more women into the mix.

Join us as we celebrate these athletes’ record-breaking feats and explore how their pioneering spirit is fueling a new era—where the sky’s the limit for women in freestyle jump. Don’t miss this insider look at the sport’s most exciting evolution and the trailblazers leading the charge. The future of freestyle is female—and it’s unstoppable.

Today's Sponsors are.....

FlymanSkis - flymanskis.com

Saga Sports - sagasports.us

Follow us on Social Media:

• Instagram - @theskishowpodcast
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theskishowpodcast

Contact The Ski Show:

• Email us at theskishowpodcast@gmail.com

Leave us a rating and a review:

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ski-show-the-ultimate-show-ski-podcast/id1510243170

Informative and educational. This episode to kick off our 2026 season is a fantastic discussion with 3 Senior Judges - Debbie Farra, Joel Johanningmeier, and Sandi Oleson. We talk about the mechanics of judging, the Difficulty Charts, Flow, Box Scores, and other deep topics about the sport of show skiing. The perspective of these three judges is invaluable and you are certain to learn a lot from this conversation. This one is for show ski nerds around the world!

Follow us on Social Media:

• Instagram - @theskishowpodcast
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theskishowpodcast

Contact The Ski Show:

• Email us at theskishowpodcast@gmail.com

Leave us a rating and a review:

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ski-show-the-ultimate-show-ski-podcast/id1510243170